For Americans the pursuit of happiness is an unalienable right endowed by our Creator. When Thomas Jefferson first drafted our Declaration of Independence, he held this truth to be sacred & undeniable! Our founding American document may declare the pursuit of happiness as our right, but it does not explain how we achieve it. For that we need to go to the Scriptures. Today we wrap up our New Year Resolves series with a study of 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

If you fail to plan then you plan to fail. Have you ever heard that platitude? While making plans IS crucial to living a successful life, planning alone is only halfway to the proverb that works. Today we learn that planning with God by our side and on our side is the real secret to our real success.

The Bible teaches us that if we are Christ-followers, then we are a brand new creation. We are literally changed from the inside out! God does a marvelous and miraculous work in our lives. Today we ask the New Year’s resolution question: Does the outside me reflect the change of the inside me? How do we go about changing our life style to become more like the child of God He created us to become?

You’ve heard how important it is for our physical fitness to keep moving. But did you know this is equally important for our spiritual fitness? In this first sermon of 2018 we resolve to keep moving forward with Jesus! Will today be a flying day, a running day or a walking day?

Do you find that the gift of Jesus’ peace to be sometimes difficult to unwrap? If so, you’re not alone. Jesus himself gave us advice about his gift of peace during the night of the last supper. Not only will we unwrap this present in our talk, but we’ll explain how you may unwrap Jesus’ peace every day of your life - even during those most un-peaceful moments!

Was the innkeeper in Bethlehem a bad guy? Or was he just a guy? Just a guy getting through his week? He had a million things going on when Joseph and Mary knocked on his door. Tonight we consider that the innkeeper was a lot like us. As we enjoy Christmas this year will we make room for Jesus?

Did you know that it is actually God’s will for you to be joyful? What about when you’re down, depressed or anxious? What about grief? Does God really expect us to “rejoice always?” Yes! In this sermon, we talk about the why’s and the how’s of joy, Jesus-style. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety or grief, then this talk is for you!

What does God’s love mean to you? How has it changed you? Does God’s love to you impact your love to other people? On this second Sunday of Advent 2017, we’ll consider God’s love for each of us and made alive in us by both God’s Son and Holy Spirit.

What do you hope for? What keeps you going when the going gets tough? Do your expectations for your tomorrows increase your trust level for today? On this first Advent Sunday of 2017, we discover that hope is making a comeback! After hitting all time lows for the past 4 centuries of usage, the word “hope” is now increasing again in the new millennium. Today we’ll learn why hope is so important to our Christian lives.

Have you ever been invited to someone’s “first communion?” In many Christian traditions a child’s family will celebrate when their child has achieved the maturity and training to be able to take the communion elements for the first time. Have you ever thought about Jesus’ first communion? We usually call it by another name - the last supper! As we examine Luke 22:14-20, we consider the five ingredients which made that first communion celebration - and each one of ours ever since - so very special.